Numerical Simulation of Flapping Wing Aerodynamic Characteristics

Abstract Flapping wing flight technology is widely used in civil and military fields, and huge economic benefits can be created. The bionic flapping wing is the research object of this paper. The influence of flapping frequency, flight trajectory, different wing types, and various flapping layouts on the aerodynamic characteristics of the flapping wing is investigated through numerical calculation. It was found that an increase in the flutter frequency can lead to an increase in the lift and drag of the flutter wing, as well as the strength of the flutter wing leading edge vortex, thereby improving the aerodynamic characteristics of the flutter wing. With the same symmetry of the trajectory of the flapping wing, the flapping wing lift characteristics are the same, but the drag characteristics may be different. If the symmetry of the flapping wing trajectory is distinct, the lift and drag characteristics of the flapping wing are different, if the curvature and thickness of the wing are different, the aerodynamic characteristics of the flapping wing are distinct. Finally, it is determined that under certain conditions, a tandem layout flapping wing can have better aerodynamic characteristics than a parallel layout flapping wing.